Kifayatullah Malik: The Torchbearer of Education in Kashmir’s Tribal Communities

In the quiet village of Lawaypora, nestled in the scenic landscape of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, a silent revolution is unfolding. Leading this transformation is 25-year-old Kifayatullah Malik, a young social worker who has dedicated his life to ensuring that no child in his community is forced to abandon their education due to financial hardship.

Growing up, Malik witnessed the pain of seeing his friends drop out of school, their dreams crushed under the weight of domestic responsibilities and economic burdens. He could have been one of them, but he fought against the odds to stay in school, eventually becoming the first in his family to pursue higher education. Today, his mission is clear: to bring education to every child in his community, making learning a right, not a privilege.

A Personal Struggle That Sparked a Movement

Malik’s journey began with his own experiences. As the first child in his family to attend school, he understood the barriers that prevented children from completing their education. Determined to make a difference, he went on to complete a master’s in social work from Amar Singh College, Srinagar. During his college years, he gathered a group of like-minded youth to tackle the dropout crisis in Kashmir’s tribal areas.

What started as a small initiative of collecting and distributing used textbooks soon grew into a movement. “Most students throw their books away after getting promoted to the next class, but for many others, those books are a lifeline,” he recalls. Malik’s humble efforts soon gained traction, and today, he leads a team of over 10 volunteers who work tirelessly to re-enroll tribal children in schools.

Bringing Dropouts Back to School

Among the hundreds of children Malik has helped is Sumaiya, a young girl from the tribal community. Like many others, Sumaiya was forced to drop out after Class 5 as her family could only afford to educate her brother. “Watching my dreams slip away was heartbreaking,” she shares. For two years, Sumaiya remained out of school, until she met Malik.

Through personal intervention, Malik not only provided her with books and stationery but also counseled her parents on the importance of education. His efforts bore fruit—Sumaiya re-enrolled in school last year. Now, she dreams of becoming a teacher, determined to uplift other girls who face the same struggles.

The problem of school dropouts is a pressing issue in Kashmir. According to official data, the tribal community has the highest school dropout rate at the secondary level, with 14.17% overall—19.05% among girls and 10.55% among boys. Teachers like Afshana Gul from Uri have seen this reality firsthand. “As a teacher, nothing hurts more than seeing a bright student drop out,” she says. “Some of my best students from three years ago are now at home, unable to continue their studies.”

Despite the financial and logistical challenges, Malik remains undeterred. His initiative runs entirely on crowdfunding, with people contributing small amounts—Rs 100, Rs 200, or Rs 500 per month. “People trust me now. These small contributions, though minimal for them, make a big difference in fulfilling a child’s dream of education,” he says.

Beyond Schooling: Empowering Communities for Long-Term Change

Malik’s work doesn’t stop at re-enrolling students. He is also focused on empowering tribal women by helping them acquire vocational skills. “Most people in tribal areas are unaware of the resources available to them,” he explains. His team conducts awareness programs and guides families on how to leverage government schemes for skill development and self-sufficiency.

One such success story is Sadiya, a young woman who enrolled in a government-sponsored three-month stitching course after attending one of Malik’s awareness sessions. Today, she earns Rs 300-400 per day, which has significantly improved her family’s livelihood. Her village now boasts a 12-member self-help group, where women have found sustainable sources of income.

A Vision for the Future

Malik’s relentless efforts have earned him national recognition. He serves as the district coordinator for REACHA (Research and Extension Association for Conservation of Horticulture and Agroforestry) under the Smartpur project, which aims to bridge the digital divide in Kashmir’s remote areas. To Malik, this initiative is not just a project but a mission to enlighten the most marginalized communities with education and digital literacy.

His dedication has also won him numerous accolades, including:

• The President’s Award for National Social Service (2021-22)—the first-ever recipient from the University of Kashmir.
• The Best Forest Friend Award by the Jammu and Kashmir Social Forestry Department for his large-scale tree-planting initiatives.
• The Ambassador of Humanity Award (2024).
• The Global Human Rights Award.

But Malik’s work is far from over. His long-term mission is to bridge the digital literacy gap and ensure that every tribal child has access to quality education. He hopes to expand his efforts beyond North Kashmir and collaborate with NGOs to sustain and scale his initiatives.

A Ripple Effect of Change

For Malik, changing even one life can create a ripple effect. “Today, we are re-enrolling students. Tomorrow, they will be the ones advocating for education in their own families,” he says.

In the remote villages of North Kashmir, where access to education was once uncertain, opportunities are now being reclaimed. Through sheer determination and unwavering belief in the power of education, Kifayatullah Malik is proving that grassroots efforts can transform entire communities. His journey is not just about bringing children back to school—it is about rewriting the future of Kashmir, one student at a time.